Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Trudy Busch Valentine, who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, prepares to hug her husband, John Fries, after giving her victory speech at a watch party Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis.
Supporters of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt cheer as he thanks the crowd and declares victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
JEFFERSON CITY — The race to replace retiring Republican Roy Blunt in the U.S. Senate could be a repeat of 2018, when the GOP employed a class warfare tactic in taking down Democrat incumbent Claire McCaskill.
Attorney General Eric Schmitt signaled as much in his victory speech in the Republican primary election on Tuesday, when he went straight at Democratic nominee Trudy Busch Valentine’s substantial wealth.
As an heir to the Anheuser-Busch beer fortune, Valentine grew up at Grant’s Farm, a well-known Busch family-owned tourist attraction in south St. Louis County.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt addresses a crowd of supporters at his campaign party where he announced his victory in the Republican …
“I worked at Grant’s Farm while in college, giving tours and taking out the trash,” Schmitt told a crowd gathered at a St. Louis County hotel ballroom. “And don’t we need a little bit more of that in Washington right now. Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t come from billions. I come from Bridgeton. I’m proud of my working-class roots.”
The message mirrored Republican Josh Hawley’s successful run against McCaskill four years ago, when he blasted her for using a private plane for parts of a tour of the state that she had called an “RV tour.”
The National Republican Senatorial Committee joined the fray, calling McCaskill “elitist,” despite Hawley’s private school and Ivy League pedigree.
Valentine hasn’t tried to hide her wealth, but she has pitched herself as a compassionate nurse who will try to heal divisions in Congress and work for middle-class Missourians.
She also has gained the support of labor unions and spent election night at the Sheet Metal Workers’ union hall in St. Louis.
Valentine overcame similar accusations from her main primary opponent, Marine veteran Lucas Kunce, who complained that she had swooped into the race without building a campaign operation and won 43% of the vote via a significant television advertising budget.
Campaign manager Alex Witt said Thursday said Valentine’s decision to run for public office is a form of service to the people of Missouri.
“Trudy’s campaign is focused on the issues that matter most to Missourians: lowering the cost of basic necessities, making sure everyone can afford to be seen by a doctor, and protecting the right to an abortion,” Witt said. “On the other hand, Eric Schmitt has spent his career in Missouri using taxpayer dollars to fight against the rights of women and families to make their own health care decisions.”
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
According to her federal financial disclosure filing, Valentine has assets between $67.5 million and $214.7 million.
Her income in 2021 was between $4.25 million and $30.5 million. Her largest asset is her share of Grant’s Farm, which is listed at between $5 million and $25 million.
Schmitt, by contrast, has long played himself as a down-to-earth lawmaker who drinks Busch beer and occasionally wears cowboy boots, even though he is an attorney and not a rancher.
His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
In a preview of the tenor of the campaign, Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Charlie Dalton summed up the strategy in a tweet Tuesday night.
“A Billionaire trust fund baby against a salt of the earth Missourian that can cook a damn good pork steak. I’ll take that matchup everyday of the week and twice on Tuesday,” Dalton wrote.
Missouri Republicans aren’t alone in using wealth as a wedge.
In Illinois, Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey has made incumbent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s immense financial holdings an issue early in the contest.
“Springfield and the political elites have failed every one of us and now the elites and the press say that Pritzker is a shoo-in. They say our fate’s set, that a farmer can’t beat a billionaire,” he said.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Schmitt’s financial disclosure form shows his salary as attorney general at $161,000 per year, which is roughly three times the state’s median household income of $57,290.
Schmitt’s assets in 2021 are valued from $427,000 to $1.1 million.
Independent candidate John Wood, an attorney who formally filed to run in the race Monday, has not filed a financial disclosure form.
In 2018, the then-chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party said the drumbeat about McCaskill’s wealth was ironic, given that much of her money comes from her husband, Joe Shepard, a housing developer.
“They are big damn hypocrites,” said Stephen Webber. “Donald Trump’s vast wealth and business success is wonderful, but somehow Claire’s husband’s business success and wealth is bad. Give me a break.”
For her part, Valentine has referred to Schmitt as an extremist.
“I’m for quality and affordable health care. I’m for lowering inflation and the cost of basic needs and I am for a woman’s right to choose. Those are three big things we are going on,” she told diners in St. Louis on Wednesday after she won the primary.
Trudy Busch Valentine accepts Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Her wealth also comes at a time when national Democrats may see little reason to dump money into a state that has trended deeply red.
With Trump winning by double-digit margins in 2016 and 2020 and all statewide offices except state auditor held by Republicans, the chances of a national party intervention into the race fizzled quickly after Schmitt handily beat scandal-plagued former Gov. Eric Greitens.
A Greitens victory may have put the seat into play for Democrats outside the state. Valentine, now, is likely to have to rely on her own money to finance the campaign.
Through July 13, Federal Election Commission reports show Valentine has given her campaign $3 million.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Eric Greitens supporters Robin Simpson of Monroe City, right, and Beverly Ortego, of Foristell, embrace after the former Missouri governor conceded the U.S. Senate Republican primary at his watch party at the Epic Empowerment Campus in Chesterfield on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens concedes the U.S. Senate Republican primary at his watch party in at the Epic Empowerment Campus in Chesterfield on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by Jack Myer, jmyer@post-dispatch.com.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Supporters of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt cheer as he thanks the crowd and declares victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine hugs her husband John Fries after giving her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine kisses her husband John Fries after giving her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Family members join Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt as he takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt goes into the crowd to shake hands with his supporters after a speech in which he declared victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Supporter Gerald Ortiz is emotional as Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
From left, supporters Peggy Door, Teri Murray, Kevyn Schroeder, Darryl Jones, and Janelle Criscione greet each other early in the evening at the watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in St. Louis for Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Tim Meadows chats with St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones at the watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in St. Louis for Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones greets friends, including Clifford Franklin who gets a hug, at the watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis, for Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Supporter Kyna Iman greets a friend at the watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in St. Louis for Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Anheuser-Busch products are the only beer choices displayed at the bar at the watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in St. Louis for Democrat Trudy Busch Valentine, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens concedes the U.S. Senate Republican primary at his watch party in at the Epic Empowerment Campus in Chesterfield on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by Jack Myer, jmyer@post-dispatch.com.
Steve Nickel of Sappington wears a cowboy hat at former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens' U.S. Senate Republican primary watch party at the Epic Empowerment Campus in Chesterfield on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by Jack Myer, jmyer@post-dispatch.com.
Supporters of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens watch a U.S. Senate Republican primary election update on Fox News at Greitens' primary watch party in at the Epic Empowerment Campus in Chesterfield on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by Jack Myer, jmyer@post-dispatch.com.
John Brunner III and his son John Brunner IV, from Ladue, mingle with other people at Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt's campaign watch party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Early returns in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate favored Schmitt. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Kurt Erickson is a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
It’s unclear what the likely entrance of independent candidate John Wood, a conservative, may have on the race.
Trudy Busch Valentine visited Chris’ Pancake and Dining in south St. Louis on the day after her primary win.
Schmitt and Valentine are headed toward a matchup in the Nov. 8 general election.
US Senate candidate says her proposal could aid people struggling with higher prices.
Trudy Busch Valentine, who won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, prepares to hug her husband, John Fries, after giving her victory speech at a watch party Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis.
Supporters of Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt cheer as he thanks the crowd and declares victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.
Democratic senate nominee Trudy Busch Valentine gives her victory speech at her watch party, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall, in St. Louis. Photo by Hillary Levin, hlevin@post-dispatch.com
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt takes the stage to thank his supporters and declare victory in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate during his election night party at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in Maryland Heights on Tuesday, August 2, 2022. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.